Folding case.



A. B. SUTZER, R. T. LAYMAN & S. KLINGLESMITH.

FOLDING CASE.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 30, 1908.

928,81 8. Patented July 20. 1909.

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ALBERT B. SUTZER, REASON T. LAYMAN, AND SIM KLINGLESMITH, OF OEGILIAN, KENTUCKY.

FOLDING CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1909.

Application filed November 30, 1908. Serial No. 465,184.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT B. SUTZER, REASON T. LAYMAN, and SIM KLINGLEsMITH, citizens of the United States, residing at Cecilian, in the county of Hardin and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Cases, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in cases, and its primary object is the provision of an egg case which may be readily and quickly folded and erected, which is simple, durable and efiicient, and which may be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a case constructed in accordance with our invention. Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation illustrating the case in its folded condition. Fig. 4 is a view taken on the plane indicated by the line H of Fig. 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on a plane extending longitudinally and vertically through the case. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on a plane extending vertically and transversely through the case. Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the case in its folded condition, the section being taken on a plane extending vertically and longitudinally through the case. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of one of the latches by which the cover is secured in applied position, and Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the manner in which the sides of the case are secured against movement.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, and particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, 1 designates the bottom, 2 the ends, 3 the sides, and 5 the top of our improved folding case. Secured to the end edges of the bottom 1 are cleats 6 to which the ends 2 are secured by means of hinges 7, the ends folding inwardly. Side cleats S are secured to the side edges of the bottom 1 and have the sides 3 secured thereto by means of hinges 9, the sides also folding inwardly. The side cleats 8 are greater in height than the end cleats 6, whereby to permit the sides 3 to be folded down upon the ends 2.

The case is divided into two compartments by means of a transverse partition 10 which is removably secured in applied position by means of a grooved guide 11. The guide 11 is secured to the inner surface of one of the sides 3 and slidably receives one edge of the partition 10. The compartments of the case are designed to receive cells usually used in cases of this character, the cells not being shown.

When the case is in erected condition the partition 10 prevents the sides 3 from folding inwardly, and rods 12 prevent them from moving outwardly beyond the normal lines of the case. The rods 12 are provided with down-turned ends 13 which engage in sockets 1% formed in the upper edges of the sides 3 adjacent the ends of the case. The rods 12 also prevent the ends 2 from folding inwardly. The ends 2 are prevented from moving outwardly by cleats 15 secured to the under side of the top 5 at points adjacent its end edges. Tlie top 5 is secured in applied position by means of latches secured to the cleats 15. Each latch consists of a pair of pivotally mounted hook members 16 designed for interlocking engagement with keepers 17 secured to the outer sides of the ends 2. The hook members of each latch are yieldingly retained in keeper interlocking relation by means of a spring 18 which is secured to one of the hook members for engagement with the other. The hook members of each latch are pivotally mounted in a socket in each cleat 15 upon a pin 19. The movements of the hook members of the latches are limited in one direction by means of plates 20 secured to the cleats 15, the plates being provided with re cesses 21 through which the arms pass and with the end walls of which-each of the hook members engage when such members are in their normal keeper interlocking relation. The pins 19 are supported at their inner ends by plates 22 which are secured to the inner side of the cleats 15. The ends of the sides 3 are reinforced by metallic members 23 in which are located sockets 24 for the reception of lugs 25 formed on the inner surface of the top 5,, the lugs engaging in the sockets when the case is in folded condition. When the case is in erected condition, the lugs 25 engage in the sockets 26 which are formed in the upper edges of the ends 2. The latches not only secure the top 5 in applied position, but also secure the case in folded condition. 4

After the contents of the case have been removed, the cells are collapsed and placed in the bottom of the case, after which the partition 10 and rods 12 are removed and placed in the bottom of the case, the ends 2 are then folded inwardly. After the sides 3 have been folded inwardly, the top 5 is applied, the latches engaging the keepers 27 secured to the end cleats 6. The sides 3 are provided with openings 28 which receive the keepers 17 when the case is in folded condition.

It should be apparent from the above description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, that we provide a case which may be readily and quickly erected and folded, that it occupies but small space when in folded condition, that it is simple, durable and efficient, and that it may be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost.

Changes in the form, proportions and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without de parting from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A case comprising a bottom, ends hin 'edly secured to the bottom, sides hingedly secured to the bottom and provided with sockets in their upper edges, rods having down-turned ends engaging in the sockets, said rods securing the sides against inward and outward movements and the ends against inward movement, metallic reinforcing members secured to the ends of the sides and provided with sockets, a top, cleats secured to the top, said cleats engaging and securing the ends against outward movement, keepers secured to the ends, and latches carried by the cleats for engagement with the keepers.

2. A. case con'iprising a bottom, end and side cleats secured to the bottom, the side cleats being higher than the end cleats, ends hingedly secured to the end cleats, sides hingedly secured to the side cleats and provided in their upper edges with sockets, rods having down-turned ends engaging in the sockets, said rods securing the sides against inward and outward movements and the ends against inward movement, metallic reinforcing members secured to the ends of the sides and provided with sockets, a top, cleats secured to the top, said cleats engaging and securing the ends against outward movement, keepers secured to the end cleats, keepers secured to the ends, and latches secured to the cleats of the top for engagementwith either the keepers secured to the ends or those secured to the end cleats.

In testimony whereof, we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT B. SUTZER. REASON T. LAYMAN. SIM KLINGLESMITH. lVitnesses HOLMES B. HILL, JAMES B. HILL. 

